SiX the Musical (& Cast) Oneshots

Silent Secrets - Ex-wives

TW: Parrleyn, self harm, eating disorders, swearing, a lot of crying

Anne's morning rituals weren't the same as many. It included more violence and self-hate.

She woke up and silently slipped out of the bed, cautious as to not wake her fiancée, Catherine.

She walked downstairs into the living room and took out a weighing scale which she hid from Cathy. Laying it on the floor, she switched it on and stepped on it.

Too heavy.

Tears welled up in Anne's eyes as she ran her hands down her stomach. How much more could she do?

However, there was one thing she could do without question.

Don't eat. Drink lots of water and chew a lot of gum.

And that's how she lived.

2 hours later, her younger cousin Kitty came skipping down the stairs.

"Morning Annie. Why are you up so early?"

"Couldn't sleep. How about you?"

"I was going to make breakfast for everyone!" she said, running into the kitchen.

"What are you making?"

"Pancakes, obviously. Everyone gets four of my incredibly irresistible pancakes with four tasty different toppings. And since you're up early, you get to pick first!"

"Oh, Kat..." she looked down guiltily. "I'm not exactly that hungry."

"Aw... That's okay..." Kitty said, slightly dejectedly. "You must have some later though. It's an order, not a request."

"Of course."

"Also, promise me you'll proper food today."

What? No one knew about Anne's eating disorder. Well, she thought no one knew.

"What do you mean?"

"Anne, I'm your cousin. You don't need to tell me things for me to suddenly see them right before me. You're doing so much damage to yourself, which isn't right. You're bullying yourself. Don't do it, Annie. I love you too much."

"I- Okay..." Anne replied, still surprised by Kitty's confession.

Anne didn't eat proper food that day. Of course, Kitty knew that she never ate her pancakes (which Jane and Anna would thoroughly rate a 10 out of 10), but she didn't want to guilt trip her. That wouldn't be a good thing to do on her part.

That night Anne found herself unable to sleep, lying in bed next to her girlfriend Catherine. Catherine had been out working the entire day and came home much later than usual, so they didn't get enough time to talk.

"Anne?"
"Mhm?"
"So you are still awake?"
"Yes..."

"You've been lying here for ages. How haven't you fallen asleep yet?"

"I-"

At that very moment, Anne's stomach betrayed more than anyone or anything had ever betrayed Anne in her entire life. Unfortunately, her stomach was loud enough to be heard by Catherine.

"You're hungry? Why didn't you eat earlier?"

When she got no response, Catherine flicked the light on.

"Anne, why didn't you eat before?"

Anne turned away, her breathing laboured. The last thing she wanted was for her
own girlfriend to find out. She crossed her fingers, silently hoping her intelligent girlfriend would fall short whilst trying to answer her own debacle.